Sunday, January 29, 2006

M J:Beginning a new year never seemed quite as significant as this one. Last year the Lord allowed me to better understand the depths of my relationship with Him, and how He completes me. As I entered the New Year I was given the opportunity to meet with the father of the wonderful young lady that I am pursing towards marriage. Her father has helped me understand what it is to become a leader in this pursuit. Two weeks have now passed since I made my intentions known to the young lady, and we are working towards building a solid friendship. Through the process of this relationship we would cherish your support in prayer, that we seek Him, and that our walk with the Lord would be the central focus of our relationship. I am EXCITED!

A Victoria:The last two weeks have been amazingly wonderful. I have agreed to a courtship with a man of great and Godly character. He came to my father the first of the year and after much questioning, deliberation, drilling, and consideration, he was given permission to pursue me. Almost two weeks have past since he came to me on a Sunday night and handed me a letter with his intentions and desires. I can not express in words how much this meant to me. I have always wanted the right man, this "pensive prince" (see mybelovedismine's blog) to give me a letter and then verbalize his reasons for choosing me. Through the hours we have spent sharing our hearts we have begun to realize how the Lord has already been working in both of our lives, drawing us closer to Him. Our goals are to bring glory to the Father through this and to build each other up in the Lord, while we head towards marriage. We ask that you pray for us, that we have wisdom and discernment as we continue to get to know each other and proceed in this glorious courtship.

Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: Philippians 1:6

Tuesday, January 24, 2006

I have a friend that has started a website to encourage young ladies in their daily walks. I have linked her to my blog. If you are a young lady and would like some Godly encouragement you should visit http://www.likeasister.com/ She has just gotten it underway so it is still a work in progress, but it already looks very good. Hope that you enjoy it. I am sure if her heart comes out on the website it will bless those that read it.

Tuesday, January 17, 2006

Years ago a military officer and his wife were aboard a ship that was caught in a raging storm at sea. Seeing his wife’s fear, the man tried to comfort her. Suddenly she grasped his sleeve and cried, "How can you be so calm?" He stepped back and drew his sword. Pointing it at her, he asked, "Are you afraid of this?" "Of course not!" she answered. "Why not?" he inquired. "Because I know you love me too much to hurt me," she said. He replied, "I also know the One who holds the winds and the waters in the hollow of His hand, and He loves us too much to fail to care for us!"

Job had that same trust. He had lost his children, his wealth and his health. Even his wife had turned against him. He had only one more thing to lose—his own life. Yet Job declared that even if it were to come down to that final loss, he would continue to trust that God had a purpose in everything that happened to him. In Job’s eyes, the important issue was not what was happening but whose hand was behind it. If God did it, Job knew he could trust it.

Often our trust is based on the "what" rather than the "who." We focus on the event rather than the One who controls that event. Consequently, when trials and tribulations come crashing down upon us, our faith is shaken. We can’t understand why a loving Heavenly Father would allow such grief to enter our lives. Yet if we truly believe that He is loving, we can say with Job that even though He slay us, we will believe He intends it for our good. In His infinite wisdom and goodness, He will take the most difficult circumstances and use them for our good.

When you are facing life’s most severe trials, focus on the character of God. Build your trust on who God is, not on what is taking place. When you know who He is, you never have to worry about what He will allow to happen.

Friday, January 13, 2006

Belinda lived in a little white house, With a little black kitten and a little gray mouse, And a little yellow dog and a little red wagon, And a realio, trulio, little pet dragon.Now the name of the little black kitten was Ink, And the little gray mouse, she called her Blink, And the little yellow dog was sharp as Mustard, But the dragon was a coward, and she called him Custard.Custard the dragon had big sharp teeth,And spikes on top of him and scales underneath, Mouth like a fireplace, chimney for a nose, And realio, trulio, daggers on his toes.

Belinda was as brave as a barrel full of bears, And Ink and Blink chased lions down the stairs, Mustard was as brave as a tiger in a rage, But Custard cried for a nice safe cage.

Belinda tickled him, she tickled him unmerciful, Ink, Blink and Mustard, they rudely called himPercival,They all sat laughing in the little red wagonAt the realio, trulio, cowardly dragon.

Belinda giggled till she shook the house,And Blink said Week!, which is giggling for a mouse, Ink and Mustard rudely asked his age, When Custard cried for a nice safe cage.

Suddenly, suddenly they heard a nasty sound,And Mustard growled, and they all looked around. Meowch! cried Ink, and Ooh! cried Belinda,For there was a pirate, climbing in the winda.Pistol in his left hand, pistol in his right, And he held in his teeth a cutlass bright, His beard was black, one leg was wood; It was clear that the pirate meant no good.

Belinda paled, and she cried, Help! Help! But Mustard fled with a terrified yelp,Ink trickled down to the bottom of the household,And little mouse Blink was strategicallymouseholed.

But up jumped Custard, snorting like an engine, Clashed his tail like irons in a dungeon, With a clatter and a clank and a jangling squirm He went at the pirate like a robin at a worm!

The pirate gaped at Belinda's dragon,And gulped some grog from his pocket flagon, He fired two bullets but they didn't hit, And Custard gobbled him, every bit!

Belinda embraced him, Mustard licked him,No one mourned for his pirate victim Ink and Blink in glee did gyrate Around the dragon that ate the pyrate.

Belinda still lives in her little white house, With her little black kitten and her little graymouse,And her little yellow dog and her little red wagon,And her realio, trulio, little pet dragon.

Belinda is as brave as a barrel full of bears, And Ink and Blink chase lions down the stairs, Mustard is as brave as a tiger in a rage, But Custard keeps crying for a nice safe cage.

Linell Nash Smith and Isabel Nash Eberstadt

"Bravery is the capacity to perform properly even when scared half to death."- Omar Bradley

"I'm very brave generally, he went on in a low voice: only today I happen to have a headache." - Lewis Carroll

My life has been filled with terrible misfortune; most of which never happened." ; }-Montaigne

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Without faith it is impossible to please God.The Holy Bible

Thursday, January 12, 2006

My soul, examine thyself this morning by the light of this text. Thou hast received the word with joy; thy feelings have been stirred and a lively impression has been made; but, remember, that to receive the word in the ear is one thing, and to receive Jesus into thy very soul is quite another; superficial feeling is often joined to inward hardness of heart, and a lively impression of the word is not always a lasting one. In the parable, the seed in one case fell upon ground having a rocky bottom, covered over with a thin layer of earth; when the seed began to take root, its downward growth was hindered by the hard stone and therefore it spent its strength in pushing its green shoot aloft as high as it could, but having no inward moisture derived from root nourishment, it withered away. Is this my case? Have I been making a fair show in the flesh without having a corresponding inner life? Good growth takes place upwards and downwards at the same time. Am I rooted in sincere fidelity and love to Jesus? If my heart remains unsoftened and unfertilized by grace, the good seed may germinate for a season, but it must ultimately wither, for it cannot flourish on a rocky, unbroken, unsanctified heart. Let me dread a godliness as rapid in growth and as wanting in endurance as Jonah's gourd; let me count the cost of being a follower of Jesus, above all let me feel the energy of His Holy Spirit, and then I shall possess an abiding and enduring seed in my soul. If my mind remains as obdurate as it was by nature, the sun of trial will scorch, and my hard heart will help to cast the heat the more terribly upon the ill-covered seed, and my religion will soon die, and my despair will be terrible; therefore, O heavenly Sower, plough me first, and then cast the truth into me, and let me yield Thee a bounteous harvest.

On Monday when the sun is hotI wonder to myself a lotNow is it true or is it notThat what is which andwhich is what?

On Tuesday when it hails and snowsThe feeling on me grows and growsThat hardly anybody knows!,If those are theseand these are those!

On Wednesday when the sky is blueAnd I have nothing else to doI sometimes wonder if its true'That who is whatAnd what is who?

On Thursday when it starts to freeze,And hoar frost twinkles on the treesHow very readily one seesthat these are whose,but whose are these?!

"Furry Bear"If I were a bear,And a big bear too,I shouldn't much careIf it froze or snew;I shouldn't much mindIf it snowed or friz--I'd be all fur-linedWith a coat like his!

For i'd have fur boots and a brown fur wrap,And brown fur knickers and a big fur cap.I'd have a fur muffle-ruff to cover my jaws.And brown fur mittens on my big brown paws.With a big brown furry-down up to my head,I'd sleep all the winter in a big fur bed.

Wednesday, January 11, 2006

I have been thinking a lot about all of the people that I have been blessed with as friends, family members, & brethren. I know I have probably written something about this before, but I am so consciously grateful I want to 'say so' and give thanks to our Lord who blessed me. The Lord has brought many wonderful people into my life and I am thankful. When I was younger I prayed for good fellowship. God has given me wonderful fellowship! These people love the Lord, want to do His will, show His glory to the world, & their brothers & sisters in the Lord. They are not hiding the good news from those that need to see God; they are willingly stepping out and obeying the Father in heaven. We (God's children) are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people. We were meant to be Holy as our Lord is, acting as He did moment by moment, listening to His heavenly Father and being willing to be considered peculiar. Certainly we shouldn't aim at being different for the sake of being different! That kind of drawing attention to our 'wise self' is just a type of foolish pride. The scripture says we're intended to focus on our Father's will and obey. This will often cause us to be different from the world's system. I pray that when I step out of my house that the Lord prepares me for those that I come in to contact with and that when they look at me they don't see me, but my God.

May He be glorified in everything we say and do!

Matthew 5:14 - 15 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.- Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house

Matthew 5:16 - Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Matthew 6:33- But seek ye First the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all of these things shall be added unto you.

Luke 8:16 - No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but setteth it on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light.

Luke 11:33 - No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light.

Tuesday, January 10, 2006

Or at least we thought it was going to be a wintery day. I fell asleep last night to the sound of rain falling on the windows & roof. I woke up this morning in anticipation of snow and was rather surprised to see that it was still raining. I could hardly believe my eyes! What happened to the snow that was forecasted for our area?!!!!!! I was not snowed into my house! I got to go to work!:-) All the way to work the rain poured and I was thinking about how much I like rain and how amazing rain is, even if it is not snow! During a rain it is usually over cast, which I actually like. I always think of reading a book by the fire or sitting around the table playing games. Of course I am not sitting in front of a fire today I am sitting at a desk, but that is okay. I still like the over cast, foggy, rainy look. After it rains the smell of the earth and tree seem so much more fresh and clean. Of course that could be because water has been falling on everything for many hours. I was walking to my car after dropping off something this morning and the rain was drizzling all over me and it made me want to laugh. It is January and it is raining. We are being told that it could snow this afternoon, but it is not likely. I personally would love that. I miss the snow, ice, cold and fun that comes with it. Snow men, snow ball fights, sledding, sliding while traveling down the snowy road! ;), and bundling up for the cold in sweaters, scarves, mittens, and hats. I love hats! They are so much fun and give you a completely different outlook. Anyway, back to the subject....:)~I am sorry for all of you that do not want it to snow, you are more then welcomed to post a comment saying so. I want it to snow. While driving here I was thinking of the poem by Robert Frost. Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening. Stopping By Woods On A Snowy EveningRobert FrostWhose woods these are I think I know, His house is in the village though; He will not see me stopping here To watch his woods fill up with snow. My little horse must think it queer To stop without a farmhouse near Between the woods and frozen lakeThe darkest evening of the year. He gives his harness bells a shake To ask if there is some mistake. The only other sound's the sweep Of easy wind and downy flake. The woods are lovely, dark and deep. But I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep, And miles to go before I sleep. Even though it is not snowing I am going to post this poem. It was one of the first ones that I memorized as a child and said in front of a group. It has a dreamy, another land feel to it. You can almost hear it as you are saying it to yourself. Enjoy this rainy weather

Friday, January 06, 2006

Ask God for wisdom (James 1:5) and make diligent use of the means He gives us for securing His wisdom, especially knowing and doing the Word of God (Matt. 7:21*29). It is not enough merely to study; we must also obey what God tells us to do (John 7:17). As we walk by faith, we discover the wisdom of God in the everyday things of life. Spiritual wisdom is not abstract: it is very personal and very practical.

As we fellowship with other believers in the church and share with one another, we can learn wisdom. Reading the best books can also help us grow in wisdom and understanding.The important thing is that we focus on Christ, for He is our wisdom (1 Cor. 1:24) and in Him is hidden "all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (Col. 2:3). The better we know Christ and the more we become like Him, the more we will walk in wisdom and understand the will of the Lord. We must allow the Holy Spirit to open the eyes of our hearts so we can see God in His Word and understand more of the riches we have in Christ (Eph. 1:15*23).

My father sent both of these devotionals to me the other day and after reading them I wanted to pass them on. (I did not type the verses out so you will have to look them up like I did.) I loved the section that started with "As we fellowship with the believers in the Church and share with one another we can learn wisdom." Amen. We learn wisdom from our brothers and sisters in Christ. Every one that knows the Lord has been given the gift from God, Himself. When we take that gift and let it become a part of our leanings, interests, passions, and love, we share Christ with others. We show a different piece of Christ to those around us. It is amazing to watch a group of people and see them all be themselves and share Christ with one another. It blesses the entire group. We can not be ourselves though if we focus on ourselves, we have to focus on our Creator and Lord. When our focus is there and we are ourselves He can use us as the vessels He created us to be. We must keep shared wisdom in its proper place though. "My or someone else's feelings or experiences are not necessarily truth!" Nancy Leigh Demoss. We must take everything we hear and read and place it next to the Word. When you place something next to the Word it will build your knowledge of the Word as well as help you decide what you believe. Shared wisdom is needed, but even more needed & important is knowing what the Lord says and then obeying it. When we can trust what the Lord is saying and obey His instruction we are blessing those around us.

Acquiring Spiritual Discernment1 Corinthians 2:10-14

Sadly, some Christians go through life without realizing two important facts about God:1) He has a personal interest in our decisions, and2) He offers us the ability to discern His will regarding those choices.

However, spiritual discernment isn't automatic. After receiving Christ, we don't suddenlyunderstand every complex theme and principle in Scripture.

Discernment must be diligently sought. Many people, believing their own wisdom is sufficient to guide them, never look for the Lord's. But our human minds, while rational, are incapable of seeing the true nature of many situations and events. What is good may not always be best, and what is presented as truth is sometimes a lie. Pride in our own judgment hinders access to godly wisdom.

In contrast, recognizing our need for God's Spirit and yielding to Him develops our insight. Besides illuminating biblical meaning, providing spiritual gifts, and sealing believers as children of God, the Holy Spirit provides discernment. This is why He is called the Spirit of Truth. Through Him, we have a direct link to God's mind*He willingly reveals the next step God intends for us to take.

Discernment does not come with out much practice and perseverance. I think everyone is working on this area of life multiple times in their lives. We are constantly faced with decisions to make and questions about those decisions. As I look over my life, I would not want the Lord to take away those times when I was crying out to know what He wanted me to do next. Those were my "practices runs" for the decisions that I need to make now. As I grow I have a feeling I will look back and feel that these areas of life now were also practice runs for the decisions and trails then (or to come). It is an on going process from what I have seen and heard. Praise the Lord! We get to keep learning discernment and when we fail He does not give up on us. He gives us more situations in which we can try again and learn something new. :) I was so encouraged by the last sentence as well "He willingly reveals the next step God intends for us to take". He does not hold the answer and taunt us with it, when we ask, He desires to give it to us. What a blessed thought. I know a sweet elderly woman & she once told me "He wants to tell us even more then we want the answer, so don't you give up."

Thursday, January 05, 2006

-Posties Jig(I hope that is spelled the right way)-The Formal Virginia Reel-Waltzing

QUESTION#2: What would a perfect day be like for you?

-I like mybelovedismine's answer. It is perfect.

-Also a perfect day would be a day in which I was meeting new people and getting to see the Lord in a new way.

There are so many other perfect days that I can think of, but I am only going to put these...:)

QUESTION#3:Name 8 of your quirks!

1.I love to hear people read out loud2.I drink too much coffee & tea3.I always slide across the living room floor (it is a wood floor)4.I like to listen to my music loud when in the car alone (especially things I can sing with)5.I have to hold a baby if I "sort of" know the parents.(they are just too cute not to hold)6.I love poems by firelight7.I like to take walks at night time under the stars8.I only like pop when eating pizza & popcorn

QUESTION#4:What was one of the most vivid dreams you have ever had?

I once dreamt that I was living in Africa (it was right after I got home from Africa), so the picture of Africa was fresh in my minds eye still. I dreamt that I was living there, helping in an orphanage full time and traveling from hospital to hospital helping with the children.

QUESTION#5:Quote your favorite childhood prayer.

I don't think I have one...

QUESTION#6:List 8 items that you would put in a time capsule to be opened by yourgreat, great, great grandchildren.

1.Their 3 greats grandma dancing on her wedding day with her father2." " dancing with their 3greats grandpa on their wedding day3.My 3-greats Grandchildren's parents when they first learned to walk and do the little things every child learns4.Their 3greats grandma (& grandpa if he does it) going sky diving5." " going to a "barn dance"6.All of us having Thanksgiving and Christmas meals as a family through the years7.Their 3 greats grandma & grandpa on our 50 anniversary (assuming we live that long)8.Their parent's weddings

QUESTION#7 List 8 things you do to relax!

1.reading my Bible with a cup of coffee(or a book with coffee)2.when I am praying3.cleaning house4.folding clothes5.going on a walk6.talking to someone that I trust about what we are interested in7.working out8.baking(especially cheesecake, cookies, and pies) :)

QUESTION#8 Finish these 8 incomplete sentences.

1. Some people think it is amusing when I....make a fish face (which I only do for children under a certain age).2. Compared to me, most women/men.....are taller3. I get excited when.....I hear about something great that has happened in someone's life, or a gathering of my brothers and sister, that I get to be part of.4. I would like to make myself....remember scripture...5. Mothers can't......lol, all I could think of is one of my younger brothers when we were little saying "mama's can't ride bikes".6. My friends don't understand why.....I believe what I believe7. I am confident that.....someday I will look back on this time of life and be very glad that I was here doing this right now.8. If people only knew how......much I wanted to say and how articulate it is in my head...:)

Wednesday, January 04, 2006

I have been tagged...:) Thanks to RS. I was very excited that she tagged me and she is now coming up with some original questions as well.

QUESTION #1: Seven things I hope to do before I die

-Know the Bible more in depth-To understand what I believe and why I believe, so I can tell others about the Lord.-Marry a Christian man-Get to build a house together-Have a large family-Raise children to be lights in this dark world-Learn a foreign language

QUESTION#2 Seven things I cannot do well:-Speak publicly -Memorize scripture-parallel park-Go to bed at a reasonable hour (I liked this one of Naddy's and would have to agree)-Finish reading a book with out starting 2 more before I am done with the 1st.-not be too sympathetic (I am too sympathetic, I am told.)

Tuesday, January 03, 2006

* Be strong and of good courage ... Fear not, nor be dismayed; for the Lord God, even my God, will be with thee; He will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the Lord.1 CHRONICLES 28:20

* But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.ROMANS 7:6

* Help us, O Lord!behold we enterUpon another year today;In Thee our hopesand thoughts now centre,Renew our courage for the way;New life, new strength, new happiness,We ask of Thee;Oh, hear, and bless !Johann Rist

* The year begins; and all its pages are as blank as the silent years of the life of Jesus Christ. Let us begin it with high resolution; then let us take all its limitations, all its hindrances, its disappointments, its narrow and common-place conditions, and meet them as the Master did in Nazareth, with patience, with obedience, putting ourselves in cheerful subjection, serving our apprenticeship. Who knows what opportunity may come to us this year? Let us live in a great spirit, then we shall be ready for a great occasion.George Hodges

* Every day is a new page in your "book of my life." Write something that will make a difference in eternity."Don't let yesterday use up too much of today" "Forgetting those things that are behind" Phil. 3:13The good-commit it to the Lord. The bad-confess it to the Lord and leave it there.Now, "Press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" Phil 3:14. "It will be worth it all when we see Jesus!!!!!"C.Sumner Wimp